Bike Computer, and a 50 mile WET ride

So I believe I rounded out all the nifty gadgets I will need for this summer by installing my cay eye strada bike computer! With the help of my former boss I got it to work. It is wonderful! I have been wondering how fast I go and what it takes to keep up with the pros... or the so called pros of the lakefront bike path and with this computer I can tell how fast I am going and how fast other people are going to by trying to keep up!

It is wonderful. I think I might try out a Chicago Cycle Club ride this month. With my computer I can confidently say I can keep a steady pace of 17 mph! oh yeah... its all bike (not really my skills! ha).

On the training side of things I put in a 50 mile ride this weekend... which was necessary since I skipped out last weekend but very painful. It was raining the whole time and after I was 25 miles away from home I turned around and fought the 18 mph winds it took SOO much longer on the way home. Strength training I guess but painful all the same!

While Biking I Noticed...

Every time I set out on my bike a little ways down the street I notice signs permanently attached to trees that read "Please pick up after your dog, Do not in any circumstances leave dog waste on this property!" This sign strikes me as odd... in a neighborhood that trys to be "Green". Is it more green to leave dog poo on the grass that is biodegradable or hang a laminated paper sign on a tree with a nail? The signs are so ugly and a little dog poop is not going to hurt anyone... it might even help your grass.

So for every one's sake take the signs down. It might make for a happier tree and more "green" looking block!

End rant here.

On the biking note I am going to attempt my 65 mile ride this weekend on Saturday morning and try out the camel back for the first time!

Here is my first shot at using the flip camera

NUUN, Bike Fitting, and 50 Mile ride

Preparation for the trip is in full swing and pretty exciting as well! I got a bike fitting this week at the LBS and my bike feels amazing. He did everything from video tape me to measuring my arches in my feet, my in-seem, and my shoulder width. He made tons of adjustments to my seat handle bars stem seat hit, etc.

On a hydrating note I received the NUUN I ordered and plan on using it this weekend on my long ride (hopefully 60 miles). NUUN gave B&B a 50 % discount. Its great hydration tablets that you drop in your water after a lot of physical activity!

This past weekend I went on my first 50 mile ride and it was a huge success! I made it all the way to the botanic gardens on the forest preserve path. When I got home I was not nearly as wiped out as I expected.

Finally I finished my Sweat equity this past weekend with a Rebuild project with LARRI. It was formed for local towns in Indiana after severe flooding hit in various impoverished neighborhood. We worked all day tearing down industrial shelving and organizing building supplies for the various houses that are going to be worked on over the next few months. I will be going out with the team one last time before I leave for the summer. met some cool people and it was a pretty productive day!

Pedals in Place and Flip Camera are a GO!

Hey All - This past weekend I got my clip less pedals installed on the new bike and took it out for a 50 mile ride this weekend up to the botanic gardens. The bike is awesome, light, fast, and fun to ride. My goal in the next couple weeks is to get use to wearing spandex. Sunday I went out in full swagger and made a public appearance in 7 eleven and Subway.... people do look at you weird but the butt pad is totally worth it.

On another exciting note my flip camera came yesterday. It is pretty awesome. As soon as I figure out out to post videos you shall see the first ever Flip camera video exclusively posted here.

The BIke Has Arrived

Happy Easter everyone! I flew home to CA for Easter and it was lovely to catch up with family. My mom and bro bought a little puppy named Cooper. He is absolutely one of the cutest puppies I have seen in a while. We spent most of the weekend playing and being entertained by him.

I came home Monday night to the largest package I have ever received in my life! The bike :) I have to give a shout out to Marc... thank you for the ride home as I don't think I would have made it home with the bike traveling case (which I got for really cheap in CA!).

I immediately opened the box (that I could probably fit in!) and found all sorts of gear goodies as well as a white gleaming new bike inside. I was able to put it together quite easily although I have yet to take it for a spin. I cant get the pedals off my old bike to put them on the new one.... gotta go to the LBS for their powerful wrench skills.

for now take a look at the new bike! http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/avail.1.white.silver/3881/36263/